I Have Been Working Hard To Play For My Country: Hardik Pandya

One of the biggest positives for India in an otherwise forgettable three-match ODI series against Australia is the emergence of Hardik Pandya– the ODI batsman.

Prior to the ODI series, fans, as well as some ex-cricketers, have cast doubt on Hardik Pandya’s place in the side as a specialist batsman given the fact that he is currently not available to bowl.

But the Mumbai Indians swashbuckler has now put all those doubts to rest with a brilliant display in the three matches. After scoring a matured 76-ball 90 in the first game, Pandya was it again at the Manuka Oval in Canberra, stroking a calm-and-collected 76-ball 92- an innings which included seven fours and a six.

Pandya, along with Ravindra Jadeja, pulled India out of a precarious position of 5-152 post the dismissal of skipper Virat Kohli as they mixed caution with aggression to brilliant effect to stitch a record 150-run-stand for the 6th wicket.

Hardik Pandya finished the series as India’s leading run-getter and for his match-winning unbeaten 92,  and he was awarded the ‘Player of the Match’.

Player of the Match for the third ODI is Hardik Pandya for his 92 not out #AUSvIND

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 2, 2020

The right-hander said that he has been working very hard to be in peak fitness for his country besides revealing that he will be fine to play in the T20Is. He also congratulated T Natarajan, who once again impressed one and ball with his skills as well as his steely temperament in his debut game.

”I will fine to play the T20Is. I have been working hard to play for my country, happy that I’ve got the opportunity. Really happy for Natarajan and rest of the bowlers. It’s been quite a story for him. You need to be on your toes when it comes to playing against Australia. You got to push hard and face the challenge against them,” Hardik Pandya said in the post-match presentation.

Also Read- Love Watching Pandya Play: Michael Bevan On Hardik Pandya